Gates Learjet 35A accident near Groton, CT
On June 2, 2006, a Gates Learjet 35A (airplane) was involved in an accident near Groton, CT. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- June 2, 2006
- Place
- Groton, CT
- Aircraft
- Gates Learjet 35A · Airplane
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 3 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 41.321°N, 72.052°W
- NTSB ID
- 20060622X00800
NTSB summary
"THIS CASE WAS MODIFIED DECEMBER 17, 2007." HISTORY OF FLIGHT On June 2, 2006, at 1440 eastern daylight time, a Gates Learjet 35A, N182K, operated by International Jet Charter, Inc. (IJC), was destroyed when it impacted water and light stanchions while approaching Groton-New London Airport (GON), Groton, Connecticut. The two certificated airline transport pilots were fatally injured, and three passengers incurred minor injuries. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed. The airplane was operating on an instrument flight rules flight plan between Atlantic City International Airport (ACY), Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey, and Groton. The non-scheduled (on-demand) passenger charter flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 135. According to one of the passengers, the airplane initially left Norfolk International Airport (ORF), Norfolk, Virginia, with five passengers onboard. The airplane then flew to Atlantic City International Airport and deplaned two of the passengers before departing for Groton. Approaching Groton, the passenger looked out his window and saw sailboats about 300 feet below. The airplane continued its descent, until the passenger felt it "thrust up," followed by an impact, and "the jet tumbled across the water" before coming to rest upside down. Another passenger stated that there was nothing unusual about the accident flight except that it was a little bumpier than usual. The passenger could not see outside because of his seat position. Suddenly, it became "very rocky," the airplane hit the water "real hard," and water quickly entered the upside-down cabi
Probable cause
The crew's failure to properly monitor the airplane's altitude, which resulted in the captain's inadvertent descent of the airplane into water. Contributing to the accident were the foggy weather conditions, and the captain's decision to descend below the decision height without sufficient visual cues.
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Browse: Connecticut · Gates Learjet aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
